Category Archives: Gun Reviews

It was only a matter of time. The “gun media mafia” is now anti-stakeout. The astounding thing is that they don’t seem to be anti-Mossberg Shockwave, when our Stakeout 870 is used in the same way. I suspect if Larry Vickers had come out with the concept, these same detractors of the Stakeout would be rubbing their man-parts all over it and then wiping it down with canola oil…but there I go on a tangent.

So the arguments…lets discuss them one by one shall we.

1). They say that these weapons are difficult to shoot well.

Truth: We all recall the anti-red dot rhetoric where the same guys would claim that the red dot slowed them down, that they had to hunt for the dot, and the dot would disappear when they shot. We showed that all of these issues are training issues and that any new technology has a learning curve. The problem is that the lazy do not care for learning curves.

Glock. The original polymer pistol, and what many consider to be the gold standard of firearms reliability. Today we look at the Glock 19, in particular the Gen 3. While there are thousands of reviews of this classic firearm found all over the internet in gun websites, blogs and YouTube videos, we bring you yet another. By no means will this review be the most comprehensive, nor technical review of the Glock 19, but it will provide a balanced introduction to what I consider to be an excellent pistol, both for home defense and concealed carry.

The Glock 19 is chambered in 9mm and has a standard capacity magazine which holds 15 rounds, plus one in the chamber, for a total firing capacity of 16 rounds. While this gun is classified as “compact,” it may seem like a bit much for a concealed carry gun to someone who has never carried before. Then again, it may not.

There are several primary points to consider when deciding on a carry pistol: (1) Reliability; (2) Size; (3) Stopping power; and (4) Capacity. While all of these points could be debated at great length, I will simply provide my personal opinion here. I think you will find the Glock 19, or any Glock for that matter, to be highly reliable. The stopping power of the 9mm is perfectly sufficient to stop the types of threats you might face. It’s powerful enough to penetrate most garments and destroy large bone mass, such as the pelvis (whereas a lighter round such as the .380 falls short). The lighter recoil of a 9mm also offers faster, more accurate follow-up shots. And the 15 round capacity is excellent (and you can always carry extra mags). There are other benefits of the 9mm, such as cheaper ammo, but let’s talk a little more about the size.

Often times the size of a gun is a primary determinant in choosing a carry firearm. After all, the best gun for self defense is the one you have with you. If you’re going to carry concealed, inside the waistband (IWB) is often a popular method of carry (as opposed to outside the waistband or ‘OWB’). For those of you looking to carry IWB, the thickness of the gun is important to consider. Below you can see the Glock 19 next to my iPhone 4 in a Magpul EXEC IP4 case.

Here are the exact specs from Glock’s website:

Length: 187 mm / 7.36 in.

Width: 30.00 mm / 1.18 in.

Length Between Sights: 153 mm / 6.02 in.

Height: 127 mm / 4.99 in.

Barrel Height: 32 mm / 1.26 in.

Barrel Length: 102 mm / 4.01 in.

When I first started carrying the Glock 19, it did feel a little beefy (this was my first carry gun). This is exactly why many people opt for much smaller options such as the Ruger LCP .380. But after carrying for a couple of weeks I became rather used to it.

Another thing I like about Glocks is that there is no safety. Well, technically there is a safety built into to the trigger to help prevent negligent discharges, but all you have to do is point and shoot, and the Glock will go ‘bang.’ Besides that, the safety with any gun is between your ears. [See Glock ‘Safe Action’ trigger below]

Other attributes of Glocks worth noting: Disassembly and cleaning couldn’t be easier. With very little practice, a person unfamiliar with firearms can learn to field strip a Glock in about 5 seconds. Here’s a picture of the components of a field stripped Glock.

Here’s a view of the sight picture of a Glock 19:

I’m extremely pleased with my Glock 19, and recommend you put it on your short list to consider for home defense or concealed carry (although I’d recommend a 12 or 20 ga. pump action shotgun for home defense over a pistol). Another nice thing about Glocks is that you can find all sorts of Glock accessories sites such as TheGlockStore and GlockMeister, but I like mine 100% factory original. I’m sure there are many points I’m leaving out that are worth considering, so look around and see what other people have to say about the Glock 19.

Here’s what Glock says about this pistol on their website:

“The GLOCK 19 is ideal for a more versatile role because of its reduced dimensions when compared to the standard sized option. Chambered in 9×19, the G19 has found worldwide acclaim with both private and public security agencies. In addition to being used as a conventional service pistol, it is ideal for concealed carry or as a backup weapon.”

Which of these items do I carry most frequently? My Ontario Rat 1 folder. The Rat 1 is a bad ass knife, and at around $28, it’s the steal of the century. While I encourage responsible gun owners to carry their gun 100% of the time, or to ‘super carry,’ I myself have to confess it’s a lofty goal. So what do I carry when I’m poking around the house, or making the short walk to the mail box? I’m carrying a solid blade that can present itself as a serious deterrent to any a’-hole that wants to cause trouble.

All that being said, my Glock 19 gen 3 is with me as often as possible (I’m not allowed to carry a firearm into my full time job, which is not at GunThink.com.) I always have my Leatherman Squirt with me – it’s only good for very light-weight tasks, but for those tasks it’s super handy. I also have a cheap-o flashlight with me at all times. While I’d like to upgrade, and always have a better flashlight close by in my truck, it’s tough to find room in my pockets for a serious flashlight. The holster in my EDC is a Galco Summer Comfort (IWB).

It’s important to put together an EDC system that works for you, and to carry it every day. Not only will you find your EDC to be a huge convenience (if you haven’t carried a knife or flashlight, and start carrying them, you won’t know what you ever did without them.) but you’ll also be in a position to defend yourself, your family and those around you from an attacker. THIS CAN BE A LIFE SAVER. Being prepared is about having the means to take care of yourself, every day – NO DAYS OFF.

In my next post, I’ll show you my truck & briefcase EDC. If you work in the professional world like I do, you can use a briefcase to carry a lot more than will fit in your pockets. So what’s in your EDC?